I can’t promise
not to think about you
Or be concerned with you
Or consider your taste
On every joke
Or poem
Or piece of art
I can’t promise
Not to hope your day went well
That you have forgotten your sadness
And remembered to smile
I can’t promise
Not to wonder who you are with
Whether they are good
Whether you are cared for
Whether you are safe
I can’t promise not to pray
you have been loved
And nurtured
And fed
I can’t promise to
forget my care for you
I can’t promise
Not to write you poetry
But I can honor a pact
To hold it all
To myself